Wall plate (2) - Porcelain, Brass, Bronze

Description: A magnificent and extremely rare matching pair (pendants) of antique porcelain portrait miniatures / wall plaques. This luxurious pair was crafted by the high-quality German porcelain factory Alka-Kunst (Alboth & Kaiser) in Staffelstein (Bavaria). Both objects date from the early period of the factory, circa 1928–1938. This is guaranteed by the authentic, impressed blind stamp (the letter 'A' above a heraldic scales) on the back of the porcelain. The complementary portraits show two ultra-fine, finely painted images of young women in historical dress, inspired by the Romantic 19th-century German portraiture (in the style of Friedrich August von Kaulbach). The composition is deliberately designed so that the ladies gaze gracefully toward each other when the plates are hung side by side. Special detail (Luxury version): The gold ornaments on the clothing and head coverings are executed in tactile relief gold (Reliefgoldmalerei). This is an artisanal process in which a thick paste is applied by hand, after which the relief is gilded with real gold. This attests to the absolute top quality within Alka-Kunst’s production. The porcelain plates are set in their original, identical and very substantial round brass/bronze frames with rich relief decorations (repoussé) in historicist style, decorated with satyr heads, masks and foliate wreaths. Condition: Both plaques are in excellent collectible condition. The porcelain is completely intact and has no chips, hairlines, or restorations. The hand-painted gold relief is wonderfully bright and shows little to no wear. The metal frames have a stunning, fully identical old patina. Exact dimensions per piece: Total diameter (including the heavy metal frame): 30 cm Diameter of the porcelain saucer (visible inner side): 11 cm